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NCS says it did not withdraw operatives from Kebbi, Sokoto borders

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied
allegation by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that Customs
operatives deployed at border stations in Kebbi and Sokoto States have been
withdrawn.

The APC had on Monday alleged that Customs personnel
deployed at border stations in Kebbi and Kastina States have been withdrawn on
a verbal directive by an unnamed official of the federal government, raising
fears of insecurity at the border post.

Reacting to the allegation, Customs Public
Relations Officer, Wale Adeniyi in a statement on Tuesday said there was no such directive whatsoever, verbal or written
to its personnel posted to Kebbi/Sokoto and Kaduna/Katsina Commands to withdraw
from the borders or their patrol bases.

“In view of the security situation in the country,
the Comptroller General only last week directed a reinforcement of patrol teams
across the country. The Sokoto/Kebbi axis was beefed up with the deployment of
a special squad in view of a reported incident between Customs and smugglers.

“The Service is in consultation with Nigeria
Immigration Service and other sister government

agencies on this issue. They
confirmed that they did not receive any such withdrawal directive.

“We are similarly in consultation with the state
governments in the north-west axis to reassure them that our officers are at
alert on their duty posts, and should regard the withdrawal allegation as
baseless and mere speculation,” Adeniyi said.